Michael L. Dilda, Colonel (ret), United States Air Force, joined the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs in July 2026. His position serves as a key liaison between Louisiana’s military installations and the LDVA, focused on:
Military Installation Support & Advocacy: Building relationships with military leadership, elected officials, government agencies, and community stakeholders across the state.
Transitioning Service Member Support: Advocating for service members and veterans navigating the shift to civilian life.
Veteran Recruitment and Retention: Supporting statewide efforts to recruit, retain, and return service members and veterans to Louisiana.
Colonel Dilda served 26 years in the United States Air Force, logging more than 3,200 flying hours as a B-52 Navigator and Radar Navigator at Barksdale AFB, including 178 combat hours during Operations DESERT STORM and ALLIED FORCE. He culminated his career as Division Chief, Bomber Operations, at Headquarters Air Force Global Strike Command, with prior leadership roles spanning Iraq, Qatar, and multiple stateside commands.
After retiring, Mike remained in Bossier City, working as a Senior Military Operations Analyst, Academic Director at Louisiana Tech Research Institute’s Center of Excellence for Secure and Resilient Systems, and, from 2019, as an Area Emergency Manager for the VA’s Veterans Health Administration.
He holds a BBA in Computer Information Systems from Baylor University, an MS in Computer Systems Technology from LSU-Shreveport, and a Master of Military Operational Art and Science from the Air Force’s Air University. Mike is an active volunteer with MOAA, the Shreveport-Bossier Military Affairs Council, the American Red Cross North Louisiana Board, and the Bossier City Chamber Military Relations Committee.